Michael B. Jordan Rumored Returning For Black Panther 2

Michael B. Jordan will make a rather surprising return as Killmonger in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe sequel, Black Panther 2.

By Doug Norrie | Updated

This article is more than 2 years old

Michael B. Jordan has come a long way since getting his first real start on The Wire almost two decades ago. The ultra-talented actor has shown an incredible amount of range for his career, playing heartbreaking roles, carrying biopics and even bringing new life to an iconic franchise. But he’s also gotten in on the comic book movie action as well.  And recent rumors have it that he’ll get a chance to return to a role there. The latest news has Jordan returning for Black Panther 2

These rumors about Michael B. Jordan returning to the Black Panther franchise are just beginning to surface following a number of other details released about the much-anticipated sequel. Jordan played Killmonger, the central antagonist in the first film and a cousin to T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman). Killmonger is working on attempting to overthrow the King of Wakanda, but in the end, is unsuccessful. What makes this latest casting rumor a bit *odd* is that Jordan’s character very much appeared to die at the end of the film. Check out that scene and see for yourself. 

Now, these are comic book movies after all and deaths need not be the end of a character. There are many ways to bring someone back from the dead. In Michael B. Jordan’s case, it could be as simple as figuring that Killmonger never actually met his end in that scene. T’Challa had offered to help him try to live, Killmonger refused, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t happen anyway. 

And Marvel has started to play fast and loose with different realities and timelines in their movies which could help with Michael B. Jordan’s return. The introduction of the Multiverse originally came up in Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse but will really ramp up in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness as well as the upcoming Spider-Man 3. Those two films are going to feature not only previously deceased characters but also people who were in totally different iterations of the franchise. 

Even with Michael B. Jordan returning for Black Panther 2, it’s unlikely he plays all that major a role. For starters, Letitia Wright, for all of her controversy, is still slated to take over as the new Black Panther in the wake of Chadwick Boseman’s tragic death. Additionally, it was announced that the sequel is going to introduce a much bigger and badder villain than Killmonger. Doctor Doom is slated to make his first Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance in the movie. Whether he’s the central villain or that’s someone like Namor the Submariner remains to be seen. 

michael b jordan killmonger

Whatever the end result, keeping Michael B. Jordan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a good thing. The actor was awesome in the Killmonger role, bringing both a viciousness but also a sympathetic edge as well. He’s such a talented actor that moving reality around to have him remain in the productions is more than worth it. I’m sure we’ll continue to get updates on casting as well as major story plot arcs for Black Panther 2 in due time.